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SWEET AND SPICY RUGELACH COOKIES

These Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookies are a unique twist on this traditional cookie. These light, buttery, flaky, and delicious cookies are easy to make. Whip up the dough in your food processor and freeze until ready to bake!

Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookies | Take Two Tapas | #RugelachCookies #CookieRecipe
This post is sponsored in conjunction with ChristmasSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

RUGELACH COOKIES

What is Rugelach? Rugelach is a Jewish pastry that is very popular in Israel.

Commonly found in cafes and bakeries, I love grabbing some from my local Jewish bakery and keeping them in the freezer so I can eat them when I have a craving.

Growing up, we had rugelach at our Thanksgiving family reunion, but they were filled with raisins and walnuts.

Not my favorite flavors for a cookie so I decided to change it up a bit with these Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookies.

The original dough for Rugelach was made with yeast and sour cream but once the recipe became popular in America, we had to change it, make it easier to make, and of course, have cream cheese in it.

I’m not complaining because I love easy recipes, and I really like cream cheese!

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Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookies are super easy to make! | Take Two Tapas | #RugelachCookies #CookieRecipe

RUGELACH FILLINGS

Some of my favorite fillings are cherries, apricots, and of course, chocolate. For this version, I went with a sweet and spicy pepper jelly and some toasted pistachios.

GREAT RUGELACH FILLINGS

  • Honey Walnut
  • Date Pecan
  • Strawberry Jam
  • Apricot Preserves
  • Pineapple Preserves
  • Cinnamon
  • Poppy Seed
  • Pumpkin
  • Apple Butter
  • Raspberry Almond
hand holding piece of rugelach with others in background on platter

HOW DO YOU MAKE RUGELACH?

Rugelach dough is super easy to make, especially in the food processor. A mixture of flour, butter, and cream cheese, pulsed slowly until the dough resembles a small pea gravel and just starts to hold together.

Once this texture is achieved, a drizzle of vanilla and an egg yolk for added richness and a little color, are added before a few more pulses.

Turn the dough out onto a powdered sugar surface and knead a few times to get the dough all together.

The bits of cream cheese and butter in the dough will release their water content and evaporate to make pockets in the dough which gives the rugelach its characteristic light and flaky texture.

Much like the layers in puff pastry and croissants.

With all the sweetness going on with the cookies, I wanted the filling to have a little something extra. These Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach cookies are the perfect blend of sweet and spicy!

For more insider tips & tricks, and a candid behind the scenes look follow me on social media! Check use out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (yes, people still use Twitter, LOL!)

Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookie dough comes together easily in the food processor!

HOW LONG DO RUGELACH COOKIES LAST?

The unbaked dough can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for 3 months? Once baked, they will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days.

CAN YOU FREEZE RUGELACH COOKIES?

Once baked, the cookies can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months if stored in an airtight container separated with parchment or wax paper between the cookies.

CAN YOU FREEZE UNBAKED RUGELACH COOKIES?

Yes, you can! They will keep for 3 months in the freezer if stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, separated by parchment or wax paper.

HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE RUGELACH?

Rug-A-Lah

forming the cookies

HOW DO YOU SHAPE RUGELACH?

Traditional rugelach are made in the form of a crescent roll by rolling a triangle of dough around the filling.

I prefer a smaller cookie so these are more like mini crescent rolls. Think you can’t make crescent rolls?

Let me show you an easy trick.

I start by forming the dough into flat, circle discs before I chill the dough. Making it round and as flat as possible makes it easier to roll out and keep the circle shape.

Once you get the disc rolled out to 1/8 inch thickness, spread the hot pepper jelly filling over the entire circle, much like a pizza.

If you are using nuts, I would cut the dough and then sprinkle with the nuts. And speaking of pizza, use a pizza cutter for the next step.

With the pizza cutter, cut the dough much like a pizza, into 16 slices. Start by making two slices and cutting the pizza into 4 equal wedges.

Then slice each of those wedges in half. This will give you 16 equal sized slices. Having the wedges equal in size makes sure the cookies are all baked evenly.

Start from the wide edge of the slice, roll up the cookie, toward the point.

Place the pepper jelly rugelach cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before baking.

Chilling the dough helps the cookie maintain its shape in the oven. I mean, you spent all that time shaping the cookies so they should hold up when baking.

For more insider tips & tricks, and a candid behind the scenes look follow me on social media! Check use out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (yes, people still use Twitter, LOL!)

Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookies are fun to roll up and look like mini croissants! | Take Two Tapas | #RugelachCookies #CookieRecipe

 

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookies are perfect with just a dusting of powdered sugar! | Take Two Tapas | #RugelachCookies #CookieRecipe

MORE EASY TREATS!

Rugelach on wooden platter covered in powdered sugar

Sweet and Spicy Rugelach - Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookies

Yield: 32 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

These Hot Pepper Jelly Rugelach Cookies are a unique twist on this traditional cookie.  These light, buttery, flaky, and delicious cookies are easy to make.  Whip up the dough in your food processor and freeze until ready to bake!

Ingredients

Rugelach Dough

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (cold, cubed)
  • 2 sticks butter (cold, cubed)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 egg yolk (beaten)
  • Powdered sugar for rolling ( I love Dixie Crystals for this!)

Hot Pepper Jelly filling

  • 1/2 cup hot pepper jelly (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1/4 cup pistachios (toasted, chopped small)
  • Powdered Sugar for garnish

Instructions

Make the rugelach dough

  1. Combine the flour and salt in a food processor.
  2. Pulse a few times to mix.
  3. Add in the butter and cream cheese.
  4. Pulse about 10-12 times until the dough looks like small pea gravel.
  5. Drizzle in the yolk and vanilla.
  6. Pulse 2 or 3 more times to combine.
  7. Remove dough to surface lightly dusted with sugar.
  8. Press into four equal disks being careful not to get the dough too warm.
  9. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
  10. You can store the dough in the fridge for a few days before using or in the freezer for a month.

Roll the rugelach

  1. When ready to make cookies, roll one disk out on a powder-sugared surface to 1/8 inch thickness and in a circle.
  2. Microwave the hot pepper jelly and water for 30 seconds to loosen it up.
  3. Add the hot pepper jelly and chopped pistachios to the surface, much like a pizza.
  4. Cut the circle into wedges making 16.
  5. Roll each wedge, starting from the wide side, much like a crescent roll.

Bake the cookies

  1. Bake at 375F for 20 minutes or until golden brown, rotating the pan half-way through.
  2. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before removing.
  3. When cool, dust with powdered sugar.
  4. Store in an airtight container for up to a week, if they last that long.

Notes

*If you like this recipe, please leave me a comment and rate it with some stars.  Thank you!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 154Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 90mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 11gProtein: 2g

This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

Christmas sweets week

Welcome to #ChristmasSweetsWeek 2018 hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures! What better way to celebrate the holidays than with food and a fun giveaway? 44 bloggers from around the country have come together to share over 180 sweet Christmas recipes!! Deck the halls and get ready for very merry sweet treats, like fudge, cookies, Christmas morning breakfasts, layer cakes, martinis, cocoa, and more! Our #ChristmasSweetsWeek sponsors are helping us give away some great prizes. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and would love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!

Prize #1 Dixie Crystals 

Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a Keurig K-Select Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker.

Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. For generations, Dixie Crystals has been at the heart of family traditions and celebrations. Our pure cane, non-GMO sugar products guarantee that treasured family recipes will turn out right every time. Bake with love and Dixie Crystals.

 

Prize #2 Cabot Creamery Co-operative 

Cabot is giving one winner a cheese gift set, including a Cabot Cheese slate cutting board, small cheese cleaver, Cabot custom Bee’s Wrap, an assortment of Cabot’s finest cheeses.

Cabot Creamery Co-operative, makers of naturally aged, award-winning cheeses and dairy products is owned by 1,000 dairy farm families in New England and New York.

 

Prize #3 LorAnn Oils & Flavors

LorAnn is giving one winner a collection of 6 LorAnn Bakery Emulsions, a collection of three LorAnn Oils vanilla extracts, a candy making cookbook, The Sweetapolita Bakebook, and a 12-unit variety pack of LorAnn super-strength candy oils.

Our flavors. Your creations. For over 50 years, LorAnn Oils has been supplying professionals and home chefs with the finest quality candy and baking flavors, essential oils, and specialty ingredients. Visit us at LorAnn Oils & Flavors to shop, learn, and discover new recipe ideas.

 

Prize #4 Joyjolt 

Joyjolt is giving one winner an Aurora Whiskey Decanter Set. Our Aurora Whiskey Decanter set has a timeless and sophisticated design that adds both class and style to any table. This set is handmade with top quality lead-free crystal glass and cutting-edge materials. The sets quality, design and upscale packaging make the Aurora a perfect addition to your home, bar, hotel, restaurant, club or office. DRINK WITH JOY. ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

Here at JoyJolt we believe that so many of the moments you enjoy most include raising a glass. From the jolt you get from that first sip of coffee in the morning to toasting a milestone with close friends. That’s why we have created glassware equally as special and unique as your happiest moments.

 

Prize #5 Sweets & Treats Boutique

Sweets & Treats is giving one winner the Year of Sprinkles Box at a $150 value. It contains holiday mixes, classic sprinkles, and some of their most popular sprinkles.

Sweets & Treats, a party and baking supplies manufacturer and wholesaler, started out of a baking industry need for truly greaseproof cupcake liners. From there, the company expanded into a handful of specialized categories including the latest, Sweet Sprinkles, their one of a kind sprinkles and sprinkle mix line. With hundreds of truly unique products, they are a one-stop shop for your next party!

 

Prize #6 Torani 

Torani is giving one winner a year supply of Torani: 12-750ml glass bottles, flavors will be winner’s choice, plus pumps for each bottle.

Torani inspires you to taste life, one flavorful experience at a time. Even though people all over the world recognize our iconic Torani bottle, we’ve remained a family-owned company — adhering to the high-quality standards that Rinaldo and Ezilda set over 90 years ago. Each and every syrup, sauce, and smoothie is created with care and pride. Way back we started with just five syrups. Today, you can use more than 100 of our naturally flavored syrups, sauces and beverage bases in coffees, sodas, teas, smoothies, cocktails and more. And we’re excited to bring you new taste traditions and flavors as we move forward.

Other great #ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes to try:

Beverages:

Brownie Batter Hot Chocolate Mix from The Spiffy Cookie
Christmas Flip from Our Good Life
Easy Cranberry Orange Madras from Love and Confections
Glogg from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Grinch Cocoa with Peppermint Marshmallows from Kate’s Recipe Box
Salted Caramel Toffee Martini from Family Around the Table
Sparkling Snowfall Cocktail from Seduction in the Kitchen
Sugar Cookie Martini from The Redhead Baker

Breakfast:

Christmas Cranberry Bread from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree from Jonesin’ For Taste
Overnight Caramel French Toast from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Candies:

Cherry Mash Truffles from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Chocolate Covered Orange Cheesecake Truffles from Cooking with Carlee
Dark Chocolate Cherry & Peppermint Snowflake Bark from Sweet Beginnings
Grinch Fudge Topped Brownies from Big Bear’s Wife
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Fudge from Lady Behind the Curtain
Red Velvet Fudge from Live Love Texas

Desserts:

Black Forest Tiramisu Parfait from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Chocolate Bundt Cake from Juggling Act Mama
Chocolate Eggnog Cupcakes from The Crumby Kitchen
Christmas Chocolate Chip Sprinkles Butter Cookies from Moore or Less Cooking
Cookie Butter Pudding Cups from The Beard and The Baker
Cranberry Almond Ecstasy Bars from Tip Garden
Date Filled Cookies from Platter Talk
Easy Snickerdoodle Cake from Daily Dish Recipes
Eggnog Blossom Cookies from Blogghetti
Eggnog cookies from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Gingerbread Cheesecake Trifle from My Suburban Kitchen
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Eggnog Buttercream from Tara’s Multicultural Table
Glazed Gingerbread Loaf from 4 Sons ‘R’ Us
Marbled Star Cookies from Eat Move Make
Mint Chip Cookies from The Mandatory Mooch
No Bake Peppermint Eggnog Pie from Who Needs A Cape?
Peppermint Shortbread from Cheese Curd in Paradise
Pepper Jelly Rugelach from Take Two Tapas
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies from April Golightly
Sugar Cookie Cheesecake from Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
Toffee Thumbprint Cookies from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Ugly Sweater Cake from Mildly Meandering
Vanilla Yogurt Mousse with Cinnamon Apples from With Two Spoons
Vegan Hot Chocolate Layer Cake from The Baking Fairy
Winter Wonderland Snack Mix from An Affair from the Heart

Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.

©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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